Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of City Development presenting options in relation to an emerging approach to strategic city centre access and associated measures.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive notes the work to date, strategic direction, and emerging approach to strategic city centre access and associated measures, and;

a)   Agrees the recommended option of maintaining a wide range of City Centre events, and managing their impacts over the short medium and long term through co-designed improvements to how events are accessed, managed and operated, and how city centre infrastructure operates.

b)   Approves the emerging package of short term measures as set out at paragraph 26 of the report, the further work to refine and develop these through ongoing co-design, and the initial budget allocation of up to £70k to implement identified measures, and to be funded through existing integrated transport block budgets, but with a proposal also being submitted to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Capital Programme 2026-2030, to establish a new dedicated allowance for this work package.

c)    Receives a subsequent paper setting out the outcomes of formal ATTRO consultation and associated actions.

d)   That further work be undertaken to establish the viability of ensuring greater access, rest days and times during the Christmas Market.

Reason: To support the long term economic and social vibrancy of the City Centre, manage the impacts of events over the short, long and medium terms, and anticipate future decisions around the implementation of permanent ATTRO.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which presented options in relation to an emerging approach to strategic city centre access and associated measures.

The following officers were in attendance for this item:

-       Garry Taylor, Director of City Development

-       Ben Murphy, Head of City Development.

They key areas of discussion were:

·      The Executive Member highlighted that a subsequent report was to be submitted to Executive setting out the outcomes of a formal ATTRO consultation and associated actions. Individuals and groups were thanked for sharing their concerns and viewpoints on this matter. It was important to balance the needs of residents, visitors and people who worked in the city. There was a need to work together to keep people safe and enable as much access as possible whilst recognising all needs, concerns and risks.

·      There was an acknowledgement of the need to consider alternative opening times for the Christmas Market, which was to be added to the list of recommendations.

Resolved (unanimously): That Executive notes the work to date, strategic direction, and emerging approach to strategic city centre access and associated measures, and;

a)   Agrees the recommended option of maintaining a wide range of City Centre events, and managing their impacts over the short medium and long term through co-designed improvements to how events are accessed, managed and operated, and how city centre infrastructure operates.

b)   Approves the emerging package of short term measures as set out at paragraph 26 of the report, the further work to refine and develop these through ongoing co-design, and the initial budget allocation of up to £70k to implement identified measures, and to be funded through existing integrated transport block budgets, but with a proposal also being submitted to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Capital Programme 2026-2030, to establish a new dedicated allowance for this work package.

c)    Receives a subsequent paper setting out the outcomes of formal ATTRO consultation and associated actions.

d)   That further work be undertaken to establish the viability of ensuring greater access, rest days and times during the Christmas Market.

Reason: To support the long term economic and social vibrancy of the City Centre, manage the impacts of events over the short, long and medium terms, and anticipate future decisions around the implementation of permanent ATTRO.